Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area II, Task N

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    0:25
    Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    0:15
    Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    0:30
    Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:
    0:20
    Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a teaching scenario in which learner safety or understanding depends on effective instruction in high Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight at higher altitudes where supplemental oxygen is required or recommended, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • Writing instrument and instructional surface.
    • FAA-S-ACS-25, Flight Instructor for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards.
    • Lesson plan, student training record, and applicable instructor records.

  • Optional Materials:

    • Model-specific Pilot's Operating Handbook or Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM).
    • Manufacturer-approved checklist and performance data.
    • Current charts, Chart Supplement, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
    • Airplane, cockpit procedures trainer, approved training device, or classroom teaching aids, as appropriate.

  • Reference Materials:

Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review the reference materials, applicable airplane limitations, and the instructor applicant's prior lesson preparation.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • Present the attention getter and motivator.
    • Review Area of Operation II, Task N, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight at higher altitudes where supplemental oxygen is required or recommended, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Teach the physiological factors that determine when supplemental oxygen is needed and how promptly it must be used, including: (AI.II.N.K2)
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain that oxygen deprivation can impair judgment, vision, coordination, and decision-making before the affected person recognizes the problem. (AI.II.N.K2a)
      • Have the learner identify personal and observable symptoms of hypoxia, explain why a pulse oximeter does not replace symptom recognition or regulatory compliance, and state the immediate corrective actions. (AI.II.N.K2b)
      • Compare times of useful consciousness at representative altitudes and relate them to oxygen-use decisions, equipment readiness, and emergency descent planning. (AI.II.N.K2c)
    • Explain the operational characteristics and limitations of supplemental oxygen systems, including: (AI.II.N.K3)
      • Compare continuous-flow, demand, and pressure-demand systems, including appropriate masks or cannulas, altitude limitations, flow indications, and system-specific operating procedures. (AI.II.N.K3a)
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the use of aviator's breathing oxygen, approved servicing sources and equipment, and why medical or industrial oxygen and incompatible servicing equipment are unsuitable. (AI.II.N.K3b)
      • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply oxygen-system precautions, including keeping oil and grease away from components, maintaining cleanliness, securing cylinders, accounting for pressure changes with temperature, checking for leakage, and verifying equipment compatibility and serviceability. (AI.II.N.K3c)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Require the learner to assess altitude, route, exposure time, night operations, occupant physiology, oxygen quantity and reserve, weather, terrain, and the availability of a safe descent before conducting high-altitude flight. (AI.II.N.R1)
    • Have the learner verify fit, function, flow, and quantity before flight; brief every occupant; monitor the system and occupants continuously; and establish a contingency for equipment failure or unexpected oxygen consumption. (AI.II.N.R2)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply safe handling of compressed-gas containers, including securing and protecting cylinders and valves, controlling storage and servicing conditions, accounting for temperature-related pressure changes, and isolating damaged or leaking equipment. (AI.II.N.R3)
    • Require controls for an oxygen-rich environment, including prohibiting smoking and open flames, excluding oil and grease, avoiding sparks and incompatible materials, providing ventilation, and responding appropriately to fire or contamination. (AI.II.N.R4)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Have the instructor applicant brief occupants on when and how to don the equipment, proper fit and flow verification, communications while masked, symptoms requiring immediate action, fire precautions, and procedures for a malfunction or emergency descent. (AI.II.N.S1)
    • Demonstrate and have the learner operate, or realistically simulate operation of, the installed or portable oxygen equipment, including inspection, connection, donning, flow selection, flow verification, monitoring, shutdown, and stowage. (AI.II.N.S2)
    • Have the learner calculate oxygen duration for the planned occupants, altitude, flight time, system flow rate, cylinder pressure, and a suitable reserve, then revise the flight plan if the supply is insufficient. (AI.II.N.S3)
    • Coach simultaneous explanation, demonstration, observation, error correction, and, when airborne, positive aircraft control.
  • Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:
    • Lead the guided scenario.
    • Evaluate instructional organization, technical accuracy, risk management, learner engagement, and every applicable ACS element.
  • Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Review the lesson objective, instructional strengths, risk-management decisions, and items requiring additional practice.
    • Present the re-motivation and closure.
  • Update instructor records and the instructor applicant's training record, as required.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a high-altitude flight with multiple occupants and require the instructor applicant to select suitable supplemental-oxygen equipment, explain the physiological and operational factors, and establish conservative altitude, duration, and reserve limits. (AI.II.N.K2–K3; AI.II.N.R1)
  • Have the instructor applicant inspect and operate or simulate the equipment, calculate the available oxygen duration, and provide a complete occupant briefing. (AI.II.N.S1–S3)
  • Introduce an equipment leak, unexpected consumption rate, occupant symptom, or reduced cylinder pressure and require the learner to recognize the problem, protect the oxygen supply, control combustion and compressed-gas hazards, and revise the altitude or landing plan. (AI.II.N.R2–R4)
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, such as poor mask fit, improper flow selection, oil contamination, or an unsecured cylinder, and require timely instructor intervention and correction.
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Complete assigned readings and prepare a lesson plan with objective, content sequence, teaching aids, assessment, and completion standards.
  • Teach the applicable knowledge elements accurately and in learner-appropriate language rather than relying on rote recitation.
  • Identify, assess, mitigate, and teach the risks associated with the task.
  • Demonstrate or explain each applicable skill while maintaining positive control, observing the learner, and correcting errors appropriately.
  • Use effective questions, check learner understanding, conduct a learner-centered assessment, and perform an instructor self-assessment.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select Tasks C, K, and at least one other Task from this Area of Operation. The evaluator must also select Task P for multiengine applicants.
  • Task N: High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight at higher altitudes where supplemental oxygen is required or recommended, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 61-107; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/ AFM
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.N.K2:
    Physiological factors, including:
    • AI.II.N.K2a:
      Impairment
    • AI.II.N.K2b:
      Symptoms of hypoxia
    • AI.II.N.K2c:
      Time of useful consciousness (TUC)
  • AI.II.N.K3:
    Operational factors, including:
    • AI.II.N.K3a:
      Characteristics, limitations, and applicability of continuous flow, demand, and pressuredemand oxygen systems
    • AI.II.N.K3b:
      Differences between and identification of “aviator’s breathing oxygen” and other types of oxygen
    • AI.II.N.K3c:
      Precautions when using supplemental oxygen systems
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.N.R1:
    High altitude flight.
  • AI.II.N.R2:
    Use of supplemental oxygen.
  • AI.II.N.R3:
    Management of compressed gas containers.
  • AI.II.N.R4:
    Combustion hazards in an oxygen-rich environment.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.N.S1:
    Provide an adequate briefing on use of supplemental oxygen equipment.
  • AI.II.N.S2:
    Operate or simulate operation of the installed or portable oxygen equipment in the aircraft, if installed or available.
  • AI.II.N.S3:
    Determine the quantity of supplemental oxygen required in a scenario given by the evaluator.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) High Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in high Altitude Operations - Supplemental Oxygen helps learners build sound judgment, technical competence, and safe operating habits.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.